NCM Immersion Program - FAQ About Immersion Program

1. How does your Mandarin Immersion Program differ from other more traditional courses?
Our Immersion Program is designed to help you to communicate in Chinese as quickly and efficiently as possible. The program allows you to immerse yourself in real-life experiences that require you to utilize and develop your Mandarin communication skills through authentic daily practice and activities.

Unlike traditional classroom courses, our program teaches you to communicate as you would in the real world. You have the great opportunity to meet local Chinese people and learn about Chinese culture, business and lifestyle during the learning process. Instructors and staff from New Concept Mandarin are dedicated to supporting you through the whole learning experience. We teach you to communicate comfortably in practical day-to-day interactions.

2. How much time do I need to commit?
We offer Immersion Program ranging from 10 days to 90 days. You need to check your own schedule to decide how many days you can commit to. Of course the more days you participate, the higher level you reach. Usually participants are occupied during regular business hours in a typical immersion day. Therefore your time commitment is crucial to this program.

3. What is a typical day like?
Here is a sample of a typical day in our Mandarin Immersion Program:

9:00am - 10:00am

Language & culture introduction

10:00am - 10:30nn

Pre-immersion warm up

10:30am - 12:30nn

Immersion

12:30nn - 1:30pm

Lunch break

1:30pm - 2:00pm

Reflection time

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Tutorial

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Immersion

5:00pm - 6:00pm

Activities in the real world

Evening & weekend activities (optional)

Chinese culture workshop, guided tours, excursion and other outing activities

4. Who is the Program designed for?
People like you! Our program is designed for anyone, at any level of proficiency, who is interested in learning Mandarin. Our participants come from different countries and all walks of life.

In addition, we also provide an exclusive Immersion Program for corporate clients, families, or individuals on a request basis, year round. Contact us and let us know your special needs, requirements and preferred time. We will then customize the program to meet your needs and interests.

5. Can you tailor the program to a specialized area of interest or business?
Yes, we can customize your course in your specific area of Mandarin such as in the areas of finance, law, trade, logistics, etc. Contact us and let us know your special needs and requirements. We will then customize the program to meet your needs and interests.

6. How long does it take to learn to speak Mandarin?
There are many factors determining how long it takes one to learn to speak Mandarin, for example, your current level, your motivation level, your past learning experience, the way your learn, the type of course you choose, the commitment you have, so on and so forth. The more you study, the faster you will learn.

Our participants often show remarkable results only after 10 days of Immersion study. Generally speaking, participants who reach the level of Survival III (which generally takes 30 days to reach) will be able to conduct general daily conversation without the help of an interpreter. Participants who reach the level of Social III (which generally takes 60 days to reach) will be able to conduct conversations comfortably in real-life situations. Participants who reach the level of Professional III (which generally takes 90 days to reach) will be able to talk about specialized and complex topics with ease. Below is a general description of the proficiency level achieved based on the number of days spent in our Immersion Program. For an estimate of how long a course you should take based on your goals and specific requirements please contact us.

7. Are there different proficiency levels in the program?
Yes. Our Immersion Program is divided into 9 proficiency levels. Survival Levels 1-3 are for beginners. Social Levels 1-3 are for intermediate learners. Professional Levels 1-3 are for advanced learners. Below is a general description of the proficiency level achieved with days spent in our Immersion Program. For a detailed level description, please click here.

8. I know some Chinese already. How do you know what level of the program should I take?
It is a good idea to inform us whether you have studied Chinese before, for how long, and approximately how many Chinese characters you know. You will be given a pre-program assessment prior to the start of your course to determine your Mandarin skills, in order to place you in a proper level in our program. The assessment will include all the four language skills, namely, listening, speaking, reading and writing.

9. How many participants are there in a class?
Our classes are small to ensure quality. The maximum number of participants in one class is 12 people. The majority of our programs offer group sizes of just four to six people per class. This small class size allows for maximum student participation and learning.

10. What are your teachers' qualifications?
All teachers are native Chinese speakers with university degrees, and they all have experience teaching Mandarin to foreigners. More importantly, they have participated in our in-house 'Train-the-Trainer Program' and became certified before starting to teach our program. In addition to their professional credentials, they are all selected for their abilities to keep students entertained and interested during the program.

11. When can I start my classes?
Small group Immersion Program starts on any Monday. Find a Monday that you can start the program, and then send us your enrolment to reserve a place for you. Enrolment is accepted at a first come, first served basis.

We also provide exclusive Immersion Program for companies, families, and individuals. Our exclusive Immersion Program runs on a request basis year round. Contact us and let us know your special needs, requirements, and preferred time. We will then customize the program to meet your needs and interests.

12. What other activities are there in addition to learning in class?
Evening and weekend activities can be organized upon participants' request. This may include, for example, Chinese massage, Chinese Kungfu, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese karaoke, etc, which provides a great opportunity for you to gain an appreciation of Chinese culture. Guided tours or excursions can be organized over weekend for half-day or full-day. Participants will have an opportunity to go shopping in a typical Chinese market and enjoy the bargaining process in Mandarin, or visit scenic spots or others places of interest in the city. Please note that evening or weekend activities are not included in the program fees. The cost for participation is usually minimal. In case there are any costs involved, such as tickets, public transport and meals etc, then the participants will need to cover their own costs, as well as the accompanying teacher's costs.

13. I have taken courses with you before, so can I get a special price for this program?
Yes, we want you to come back! We offer all of our returning students a 10% discount on their Immersion Programs. Simply mention your name, which centre and when you have learned with us before you enroll in an Immersion Program.

14. Where is your Mandarin Immersion Program offered?
The Mandarin Immersion Program is located in the Shekou district of Shenzhen, China, which is only one hour's drive or ferry trip away from Hong Kong. To know more about this city, click here.

15. I'm too busy to join an Immersion Program. Do you offer Chinese language courses in other cities of China?
Currently our Mandarin Immersion Program is only available in Shenzhen city. However, we do offer intensive Mandarin training services at our centres in China, plus many cities around the world. Click here to find a centre closest to you.

About Program Requirements

16. What are your admission requirements?

Our Mandarin Immersion Program is open to individuals, families, professionals, and executives from all walks of life and industries worldwide.
It's preferable that applicants know some basic Chinese before they start.
You need to have a Passport and a valid Visa into China.
Insurance is not included in this program. However, we do require that you have medical and accidental insurance coverage while you are in China.
You must be in good health.
Course fees must be paid in advance

17. I am an absolute beginner in Chinese; am I eligible to apply for your program?
Yes. Our Mandarin Immersion Program is open for people at all levels and no minimum language ability required.

A majority of our applicants are beginners in Chinese. In fact we encourage beginners to join our program, since the Immersion way is a great opportunity to be introduced a new language and allows you to see remarkable results in just a few weeks!

About Visa & Insurance

18. Will I need a visa to get into China?
Yes. A single entry tourist or business visa will be sufficient for the duration of the program.

We do not sponsor individuals for short or long term stays. For a more detailed explanation on how to get a Chinese Tourist Visa, please apply through your nearest Chinese Consulate, Embassy, or China Travel Service agency.

19. What type of Visa do I need in order to attend the course?
Business Visa (F) or Tourist Visa (L).

20. How can I get a visa?
You are encouraged to get your visa through your travel agent or at the consulate in your country. We recommend you check online, or with the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate for the visa requirements. Do not rely on getting a visa upon entry at the border. You should therefore check with your local travel agent or Chinese Consulate to determine what the requirements are.

For a more detailed explanation on how to get a Chinese Visa, please click the link below.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa.htm#important

21. How long does it take to get a Visa ?
Although processing times can vary from country to country, you should allow ample time to obtain your China Visa. Please check with the travel agent or Chinese Embassy or Consulate nearest you.

22. What if I still don't get my Visa at the time that my program starts?
If you do not get your Visa in time for your program, you can delay to the next program or a program time as agreed with our Immersion centre staff. But you MUST inform us in writing explaining the delay in getting your visa.

23. Will I need medical insurance?
Yes. We do require that you purchase medical and accidental insurance coverage for your stay in China. Insurance is not included in our Mandarin Immersion program. New Concept Mandarin Limited will not be responsible for any injury or loss whatsoever occurred to you during your stay in China.

24. Can you sponsor me to study and live in China?
No. We do not provide any form of sponsorship or guarantee for anyone applying to study in China for extended stays.

About Enrolment /Payment /Arrival

25. How do I enroll?
The following are the steps that you need to take in order to enroll into our Mandarin Immersion Program.

Application

Fill out the enrolment form online, or download the form and fax/send us a completed and signed copy.

Confirmation

We will email or fax to confirm your place in the program.

Deposit payment (USD300 per person)

Program deposit is non-refundable. Check the various payment method here.

Program starts with remaining payment

Pay the remaining of your program fee prior to the start of your program.

26. How early should I enroll?
We suggest you enroll as early as possible as our program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrolment is closed one week prior to the start of each program. Early enrolment will also allow you enough time to make the necessary arrangements to come and study in China (e.g. visas). It is recommended that you check first with your nearest Chinese Consulate about visa requirements to make sure you can obtain your visa in time.

27. How should I pay for my courses?
We request payment in advance by cash, check, bank transfer, or credit card. For detailed information about how to pay, click here.

28. Is it safe for me to pay online through your website?
All payments initiated from www.newconceptmandarin.com are be processed by our payment service provider, www.paydollar.com. Paydollar will take care of all the security issues necessary for online payment.

29. My credit card is not in USD, can I still pay online?
Yes, you can. We accept all major international credit cards. All transactions initiated within www.newconceptmandarin.com will be settled using USD. We offer reference exchange rates in Hong Kong Dollar, Korean WON, Japan Yen, Euro, and Australian dollars in the product list. Exchange rates used in the currency converter are used for reference only. For the exact rate, please refer to the Bank exchange rate on the date of the transaction.

30. I've studied with you before - so can I get a special price for this program?
Yes, we want you to come back! We offer all of our returning students a 10% discount on their Immersion Programs. To qualify, simply mention your name, when and where you studied with us.

31. What are other costs I should be aware of?
Our program fees already include the following:

Tuition
Course books and learning materials
3-month access to New Concept Mandarin Online Course per level
New Concept Mandarin CD-ROM "Mandarin Tutor"
Pre-program assessment
Airport / Bus / Ferry pick-up upon arrival

Please note that accommodation fees are not included in the above program fees. If you want to stay at one of the hotels from our choice of hotels, you need to pay your own hotel accommodation. Check the hotel fees here.

Evening and weekend activities are optional to all participants. You will need to pay a small fee for some evening or weekend activities, for example, entrance fees to some places of interest etc.

You need some additional expenses for living and traveling in Shenzhen or China. For reference of some typical expenses in Shenzhen, please click here.

32. How do I get to Shenzhen?
You may fly into Shenzhen airport directly, or you may fly into Hong Kong and then transfer to Shenzhen via speed ferry or fast train.

Shenzhen Airport is 35km from downtown Shenzhen and connects the city with many other parts of China, as well as some international destinations. Shenzhen airport is conveniently connected by coach directly to Hong Kong airport for a fee of around RMB200 or HK$200. The airport is also connected to Shenzhen city by various airport bus routes.

33. How do I get from HK to your Immersion centre in Shenzhen?
Hong Kong International Airport is most convenient to fly into considering flight frequency and availability. Shenzhen is connected by fast ferries linking Shekou (a port in Shenzhen near our Immersion Centre), Hong Kong International Airport, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island. The ferry trip will only take you less than one hour to get to Shekou. This will be the easiest way to get to our Immersion Centre if you are coming to Shenzhen via Hong Kong. Our Immersion Centre is only 5 minutes walk away from the Shekou ferry. Click here to find the ferry schedule.

You may also take the train journey from Hong Kong's KCRC East Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) station to Shenzhen's Lo Wu border crossing. It takes approximately 40 minutes at a cost of HK$36.3 (as of December 2005). Trains run every 3-8 minutes from 5:30am to 11:00pm and the border crossing is open daily from 6:30am to midnight.

An express bus service is available from Hong Kong airport or from Wanchai. This bus takes you directly to the port of HuangGang in the Futian district of Shenzhen - across the Lok Ma Chau border crossing. From here you can catch a taxi to your hotel. The bus from the airport costs HK$120 and from Wanchai HK$45. The Wanchai bus depart every 20 minutes 24 hours a day. Allow one hour for travel time.

34. When should I arrive in Shenzhen for my Immersion Program?
Please plan to arrive at least on the day before your Program starts. Please fax or email us to advise your arrival information, including date & time of arrival, airline, flight number, and place of departure, so that we can arrange your airport/ferry pickup. Please give us this information at least 3 days before your arrival.

You will also need to inform us whether you wish us to help you arrange your accommodation. Please note you will be responsible for paying accommodation fees for the days of your program.

35. What if I arrive late for my program?
All participants are expected to be present for the first day of the program. Kindly make every effort to arrive on time. If for some reason you cannot arrive for the first day, you MUST inform us in writing before your Program starts. If you miss the first two days of the program, you may lose your place in this program and a refund will not be provided. However, you may choose to attend the next program as agreed with our Centre staff.

36. When is the payment deadline?
The program fees are due when you enroll into a program.

37. What are your cancellation and refund policies?
For details of our refund policy, please refer to our Program Terms and Conditions here.

38. Any other things that I need to know before I enrol into your Program?
Please read our Program Terms and Conditions carefully before you send us the enrolment form.

About Accommodation

39. Where will I live while I am participating in the Immersion Program?
Accommodation is arranged at respectable local hotels, which are all conveniently located near our Immersion centre, within walking distance or 5 minutes by taxi. For choices and details of hotels, please click here. However, if you do not want to stay in our pre-arranged hotels, you may also choose to stay at a place that you choose, at your own arrangement.

40. Is accommodation fee included in my Immersion Program fees?
No. You will need to pay for your own accommodation. For prices of different hotels, please click here. As our client, you will enjoy special corporate discount with these hotels.

41. How far will the hotels be away from your Immersion Centre?
The hotels are all conveniently located near our Immersion centre, either within walking distance or about 5 minutes by taxi.

42. Is Internet access available in hotel rooms?
Broadband services for Internet access is provided without an extra charge in all hotel rooms. You may also access the Internet at our Immersion Centre during breaks.

43. Where do I have my meals?
You can easily find many local Chinese restaurants or Western restaurants near your hotel and our Immersion Centre. Shenzhen is definitely the best gourmet city in China, where you can easily find all kinds of restaurants offering delicious cuisines from different provinces throughout China.

About living in China and Shenzhen City

44. What do I need to bring with me?
Shenzhen is a modern Chinese city where you can get almost any product or brand that you would find at your home country.

We suggest you bring sufficient prescription medication or preferred over-the-counter medication from your home country to last for the duration of your stay. You should also plan to have money for your everyday expenses, including food, entertainment, transportation, and so on.

To have a better idea about traveling to China, please click the link below:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/index.htm

45. What is the best way to bring money with me?
You can take a little cash, traveler's checks or use your ATM or EFTPOS card - as long as it has one of the international symbols that denote that you can use it at locations around the world. You can also open an account in China and wire transfer money from your home country. Western Union services are also available through the local post office.

46. What is the weather like in Shenzhen?
Shenzhen's annual average temperature is 22.4 C. Detailed information about the average, maximum and minimum temperatures in Shenzhen year round is as below.

Average Data Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average High (F) 65/69 65/69 71/74 77/81 83/87 86/89 88/92 88/91 86/89 82/85 75/79 68/72
Average High (C) 18/20 18/20 21/23 25/27 28/30 30/32 31/33 31/33 30/32 28/30 24/26 20/22
Average Low (F) 50/53 52/56 58/62 65/69 71/75 75/78 76/79 75/79 73/77 67/71 60/63 52/56
Average Low (C) 10/12 11/13 14/16 18/20 22/24 24/26 24/26 24/26 23/25 20/22 15/17 11/13

47. What are the current safety and health conditions in Shenzhen?
China is considered one of the safest countries in the world for personal security, but petty crime is always a risk. Serious crime against foreigners is rare. Petty crimes such as pick-pocketing and purse snatching can occur in crowded areas such as stations, markets, shopping areas, sightseeing destinations, etc. So it is wise to be cautious with your personal possessions in public places.

48. Do I have an opportunity to travel around China and see the surrounding areas and attractions?
Yes. You can take advantage of your free time and travel. It is recommended that you make these visits on weekends or after you have completed your program. That is because our Immersion Program is very intensive and requires your absolute commitment. If you fall behind, it might make your study difficult.

Others

49. What if I have a problem over there during my program?
New Concept Mandarin is commuted to make your study as easy as possible. Our team of instructors and staff will consider your interests, language level, goals, and travel plans to make your Immersion experience with us fun, exciting, and stress-free. We will help you whenever you have a problem or concern during your study with us.

50. Can I speak with someone personally about your program?
Yes! Please feel free to call us at (86 755)2688 3577 or (86 755)2686 4975. Or you may fill out the Enquiry Form online and we will contact you.

51. What if I do not like my teacher(s)?
All New Concept Mandarin teacher are professionally trained through our unique "Train the Trainer Program". They are trained to make your learning experience fun and effective, and to maximize your learning results. However, if in any case that you do not like your teacher(s), we will listen to your feedback, discuss your specific case with you, and reach a solution together.

Immersion Program

+ Program Description

+ Accommodation

+ Enrolment

+ Visa & Insurance

+ FAQ About Immersion Program

+ About our Immersion Center

+ About Shenzhen City

+ Contact Our Immersion Center

+ See what our student say

Download Immersion Program
(MIP) details in PDF format